City of Chicago: Exterior Plaza Replacement

Problem

This building, located on Lake Shore Avenue, is designed with reinforced columns, beams, and floor slabs. The property was built in the early 1960s to house 640 units in two 28-story towers, which are joined by a large common corridor that houses the building’s administration offices. A 6,800 square foot ground floor plaza was built underneath the towers and over the indoor garage and basement. For several years, water has been leaking through the plaza foundation into the spaces below. We were contacted to evaluate the conditions and remedy the problem.

Solution

• Reviewed previous repair reports and performed an extensive condition survey.

• Performed water infiltration tests to identify the locations of the sources.

• Performed destructive investigation openings at specific locations to gain knowledge of the construction.

• Provided specifications and construction drawings for repairing the spalled structural concrete slab and replacing the damaged surface.

• Coordinated the Electric Field Vector Mapping (EFVM) water investigation to confirm that the new membrane was not punctured during installation

• Inspected and managed the contractor’s work in progress to ensure conformance with specifications and drawings, prepared field reports, verified work item quantities, approved change orders, facilitated project communication, maintained project records, coordinated construction meetings, prepared punch list, and closed out the project.

Value

Investigated and performed water infiltration testing, developed repair specifications and drawings, performed bidding services, and monitored the construction repairs. Also, performed water infiltration testing between construction repair processes to ensure the new membrane was not damaged during the installation.